raz ln28 makingrice

Making Rice LEVELED BOOK • N A Reading A–Z Level N Leveled Book Word Count: 814 Written by Ting Gee Visit www.readinga-z.com for thousands of books and materials www.readinga-z.com Written by Ting Gee www.readinga-z.com Rice is a very important food for more than half of the world’s people In many Asian countries, rice is eaten at every meal Many areas of the world have grown rice for thousands of years In China, scientists discovered rice fields that were over 8,000 years old That means rice has been a part of life in China for a very long time Growing and cooking rice are a part of China’s culture Making Rice • Level N Rice is a very important food for more than half of the world’s people In many Asian countries, rice is eaten at every meal Many areas of the world have grown rice for thousands of years In China, scientists discovered rice fields that were over 8,000 years old That means rice has been a part of life in China for a very long time Growing and cooking rice are a part of China’s culture Making Rice • Level N There are about 7,000 kinds of rice They include long- and short-grain rice, sweet rice, wild rice, and brown rice Rice is low in salt and fat It is an excellent source of starch Rice is grown in many countries of the world It grows in fields called paddies Some rice needs lots of water to grow So some rice paddies are flooded with water Many people greet each other by saying, “How are you?” But in China people greet each other differently They say, “Chi fan mayo?” It means, “Have you eaten rice yet?” Rice is used in many other Chinese sayings, too If you say, “I lost my rice bowl,” it means “I lost my job.” Throwing a rice bowl on the floor is an insult and a sign of anger Making Rice • Level N Many people greet each other by saying, “How are you?” But in China people greet each other differently They say, “Chi fan mayo?” It means, “Have you eaten rice yet?” Rice is used in many other Chinese sayings, too If you say, “I lost my rice bowl,” it means “I lost my job.” Throwing a rice bowl on the floor is an insult and a sign of anger Making Rice • Level N The Chinese teach their children that they must eat every grain of rice in their bowls It is a way of showing appreciation for farmers who work hard in the rice fields Rice is used to make many things in China Parts of the rice plant are used to make paper and baskets But the most important product is food Rice grain is used for making rice wine and vinegar Rice can be crushed into rice flour The flour is used to make rice cakes, noodles, and sweet treats Rice is used to make many tasty dishes, such as chicken-fried rice You are going to learn to make this dish But first, you must learn how to make plain rice It’s easy, so let’s try it Making Rice • Level N Rice is used to make many things in China Parts of the rice plant are used to make paper and baskets But the most important product is food Rice grain is used for making rice wine and vinegar Rice can be crushed into rice flour The flour is used to make rice cakes, noodles, and sweet treats Rice is used to make many tasty dishes, such as chicken-fried rice You are going to learn to make this dish But first, you must learn how to make plain rice It’s easy, so let’s try it Making Rice • Level N Before you start, wash your hands and put on an apron Cooking is a lot of fun But it’s important to be very careful working with sharp knives, hot pans, and a hot stove Always wear oven gloves when you pick up hot pots and pans Before you cook, it is best to gather what you need It is also a good idea to clean up as you go along Be sure to ask an adult to help with the cutting And always have an adult around when working near a hot stove Making Rice • Level N To cook rice you need these tools: Before you cook, it is best to gather what you need It is also a good idea to clean up as you go along Be sure to ask an adult to help with the cutting And always have an adult around when working near a hot stove Making Rice • Level N • A measuring cup • A saucepan with a lid • A strainer You also need these things: • cups of long-grain rice • cups of water 10 Now you are ready to prepare the food Measure two cups of rice Place the rice in a strainer Rinse well with cold water Place the clean rice in the pan Add three cups of water Place the pan on the stove Bring the water to a boil Boil until the rice absorbs most of the water Cover the pan with a lid Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes Two cups of uncooked rice will become cups of fluffy rice Making Rice • Level N 11 Now you are ready to prepare the food Serve rice as the base for a great meal Rice is good with many Chinese dishes For example, it is good with sweet and sour pork, orange chicken, and beef broccoli Or you can serve rice with steaks, fish, or chili and beans Measure two cups of rice Place the rice in a strainer Rinse well with cold water Place the clean rice in the pan Add three cups of water Place the pan on the stove Bring the water to a boil Boil until the rice absorbs most of the water Cover the pan with a lid Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes Two cups of uncooked rice will become cups of fluffy rice Making Rice • Level N 11 12 Now that you can make rice, let’s try a popular Chinese dish— chicken-fried rice First, get the tools you will need: • A cutting board • A sharp knife • small mixing bowls • A fork • A measuring cup and measuring spoons • A large nonstick frying pan or a wok • A spatula or a large wooden spoon Making Rice • Level N 13 Now that you can make rice, let’s try a popular Chinese dish— chicken-fried rice First, get the tools you will need: • A cutting board • A sharp knife • small mixing bowls • A fork • A measuring cup and measuring spoons • A large nonstick frying pan or a wok • A spatula or a large wooden spoon You will also need the following things: • green onions • large chicken breast (boneless) • cups of cooked, chilled rice ã eggs ã ẵ cup of frozen peas, thawed • tablespoons of vegetable oil • Salt and pepper to taste Making Rice • Level N 13 14 You will need to make a sauce So get these things: • tablespoons of chicken broth • tablespoons of soy sauce • teaspoon of sesame oil ã ẳ teaspoon of pepper Making Rice ã Level N 15 You will need to make a sauce So get these things: • tablespoons of chicken broth • tablespoons of soy sauce • teaspoon of sesame oil ã ẳ teaspoon of pepper Now it is time to get to work You will need an adult to the cutting Chop the green onions on the cutting board Cut the chicken breast into small strips In one small bowl, beat the eggs with a fork In the other small bowl, measure what you need for the sauce Then mix those ingredients together Making Rice • Level N 15 16 Now it’s time to cook Make sure you have an adult around to help Heat the vegetable oil in the frying pan Stir-fry the eggs until scrambled, about minute Add the green onions, chicken, and peas Stir them over a high heat, for about minutes Add the rice and sauce, and stir for more minutes Taste to see if you need a pinch of salt or pepper Serve while it’s hot Put it in a large serving bowl or put it on dinner plates Making Rice • Level N 17 Now it’s time to cook Make sure you have an adult around to help Chicken-fried rice makes a tasty meal for your family and friends Enjoy it often And when someone asks you, “Chi fan mayo?” you can answer “Chi-la” (yes) Heat the vegetable oil in the frying pan Stir-fry the eggs until scrambled, about minute Add the green onions, chicken, and peas Stir them over a high heat, for about minutes Add the rice and sauce, and stir for more minutes Taste to see if you need a pinch of salt or pepper Serve while it’s hot Put it in a large serving bowl or put it on dinner plates Making Rice • Level N 17 18 Making Rice LEVELED BOOK • N A Reading A–Z Level N Leveled Book Word Count: 814 Written by Ting Gee Visit www.readinga-z.com for thousands of books and materials www.readinga-z.com Photo Credits: Front cover, title page, pages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18 (all): Francis Morgan/ © Learning A–Z; back cover, page 3: © Photolink/Photodisc/Getty Images; page 4: © ImageCreative/Dreamstime.com; page 5: © flashfilm/Digital Vision/Getty Images; page 6: © Anderson Ross/Blend Images/Corbis; page 12 (top): © Burke/Triolo/ Brand X Pictures/PictureQuest; page 12 (bottom): ©Michael Flippo/Dreamstime.com; page 13: © iStockphoto.com; page 15: Craig Frederick/© Learning A–Z Written by Ting Gee Making Rice Level N Leveled Book © Learning A–Z Written by Ting Gee All rights reserved www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com Correlation LEVEL N Fountas & Pinnell Reading Recovery DRA M 20 28